Feb. 6: Craig Campbell & Phil Nichol

Big time show tonight, folks. We've got two mainstays on the British comedy circuit. But, as Don Cherry would say, they're both good Canadian kids.

If you've been around long enough, you'll know Craig Campbell from his days in Vancouver. He went on to play the straight man to Ed the Sock in Toronto before his move to England, where critics have called him a "Crocodile Dundee of North America". Well, one critic did, anyway. He's known to be a raconteur of the highest order in his stand-up act. I interviewed Craig once over the phone and I can attest to the fact the moosefucker can spin a yarn with the best of them. See for yourself:

As for Phil Nichol, he was a member of the famed Corky & the Juice Pigs. Not sure if he was Corky or a JP, but that's neither here nor there. This was a group that Barenaked Ladies opened for, that's how big they were. And, of course, they made several appearances on MadTV. Nichol eventually moved to London (we'll sort out the details tonight), where he's been wowing crowds ever since. One reviewer said his show "actually exert[s] g-force." I believe it, based on this appearance on a British TV show where he sings a song then sits down with the original cast from The Dukes of Hazzard:

I'm looking forward to this. My guess is that it'll not only be a really great show but it'll also be really easy for me. I'm betting I won't have to say much at all to get these guys going.

Oh, by the way, they're here as part of the Snowed In Comedy Tour which is winding up in Vancouver at the Revue Stage on Granville Island on Saturday, Feb. 12. Joining them will be Vancouver boys (and both former What's So Funny? guests) Peter Kelamis and Dan Quinn.

Episode 180ish

The latest comedy roundtable episode is now available here, there (Comedy Couch) and everywhere (iTunes). It was fun. We had Ian Boothby, Jane Stanton and Sean Proudlove in studio, while Peter Kelamis joined us over the phone from L.A. I haven't had too many phoners over the years, and have turned some down just because I think it's not ideal. There's no face-to-face contact and hearing someone on the phone for an hour doesn't sound all that good. Still, I had been mulling over having more phone guests and this show helped seal the deal. Of course it helps if the guest is as good as Kelamis was here. We talked mostly about the Leno-Conan situation, but got into a few other things, too. I think my favourite part was the story Kelamis told of getting booked on Open Mike with Mike Bullard. It's a classic Canadian show biz story.

Comedy Roundtable, January 24, 2010

Jan. 24: The Comedy Roundtable returns

It's been a while since we've used the comedy roundtable format. I don't know why. But when Paul Provenza wrote to say he had to postpone his appearance on What's So Funny? another week, a lightbulb went on over my head. The comedy roundtable!, my brain told myself. It is time. Especially given the fact that Conan O'Brien's version of The Tonight Show went off the air on Friday after only seven months on the air and everyone seems to have an opinion on it (I've yet to meet or hear of anyone who's pro-Leno). So I organized a top-notch panel for you. Ian Boothby, Sean Proudlove and Jane Stanton will be in studio while SGU Stargate Universe's Peter Kelamis will be weighing in from La-La Land, where he currently resides. We'll sit around and chew the fat on this momentous situation as well as whatever else we think of. If you want to join in, give us a call between 11 and midnight at 604-684-7561.

Peter Kelamis

Check this out. Vancouver's own (and 2-time What's So Funny? guest) Peter Kelamis has been discovered by The Jay Leno Show. Or at least the two knobs who book the comedy on the show. They were also the talent scouts on NBC's Last Comic Standing and on The Tonight Show when Jay hosted.

I say "knobs" a bit unfairly. For all I know, they are experts in their field. I've only seen them on LCS. I found myself disagreeing with them more than not so that has forever tainted them in my eyes. I'm like that.

But, hey, if they book Kelamis on Leno's primetime show, maybe I'll change my tune. What's happened so far is they've posted a clip of Peter's to the show's website under The Laugh Squad. Apparently an IT guy in their office was sitting around laughing at a clip of Kelamis and that caught their eye. Or ear, as it were. So they posted said clip and asked for comments. Maybe if enough people went over there and raved about him, they'd put him on the show.

So get going, already. Do your part. Get the local guy a spot on American network TV.